Emmerdale spoilers: Robert Sugden REPLACED by Joe Tate?

Emmerdale fans may have rejoiced too soon when Robert finally got back together with Aaron Livesy (Danny Miller), as he looks set to be ousted by brooding rival Joseph Tate.

The pair had struck up a fierce rivalry after Robert and Aaron ruined an important sale for Joe, with some fans speculating that the bad boys of the Emmerdale cast are set to be embroiled in a vicious war.

And it seems that's rivalry with Joseph Tate has awakened Robert's dormant nasty side – which he vowed to put to bed when baby son Seb was born, as they each vow to come out on top.

Speaking to the Metro, Ryan Hawley, who plays Robert, explained: "Joe Tate is kind of like the new, improved, younger, better looking version of Robert. Richard, one of the directors, said that – it’s nice to see that.

ITV

IT'S WAR: Could Joseph see off Robert?

ITV

FURY: Robert and Joe are embroiled in a feud

Naughtiest soap scenes

From Eastenders to Coronation Street remember the naughtiest scenes in soapland.

1 / 38

ITV/Channel 4

Naughtiest soap scenes

“Joe Tate is kind of like the new, improved, younger, better looking version of Robert. Richard, one of the directors, said that – it’s nice to see that.”

Ryan Hawley

"I don't think we can ever completely get rid of Robert's nasty side. It's nice for me as well to have these different facets to the character.

"I'm glad they're not getting rid of that any time soon."

However, just because Robert is back to his scheming, that doesn't mean he is going to be less of a loving father to Seb; particularly mother Rebecca White (Emily Head) faces a shocking diagnosis.

"His softer side has come out more now," Ryan agrees. "I think the baby has brought that out in him.

ITV

PANICKED: Rebecca cannot look after Seb

"Also the fact that the Whites died in the way they did and he now has Rebecca who’s vulnerable and sick.

"He has to look after Seb on his own, or with the help from Victoria, so there’s a lot of responsibility on his shoulders now – he can’t really walk away from it.

Emmerdale spoilers have revealed that the pair's feud is set to worsen as Joe schemes come into fruition.

Top Emmerdale bombshells

Elsewhere among the Emmerdale cast, Joe raises eyebrows when, after weeks of feuding and a very public break-up, he reignites his 50 Shades-style love affair with Debbie Dingle (Charley Webb).

Joe seeks to "make amends" with Debbie after learning that she was the person that "ordered" the acid attack that was meant to target him, but instead left poor Ross Barton (Michael Parr) permanently scarred.